Pyramids
Historians acknowledge that probably the first recognized pyramid in Egypt was Djoser which the main designer was Imhotep. The structure is said to have been structured as a tomb for Pharaoh. Those who study Egyptian history found out that the first structure was built as a colossal staircase through which the spirit of the departed Pharaoh could rise to the outer space. By the instant of the early era of the dynastic history of Egypt, individuals with adequate resources were hidden in mastabas which were in the form of bench structures.
The contour of Egyptian pyramids in deliberation represents the prehistoric knoll from which the Egyptians alleged the world was shaped. The silhouette is also contemplated to be resembling the sliding sun rays, and the majority of pyramids were faced with elegant, extremely philosophical ashen granite so as to provide a luminous facade when seen from an expanse. It has been summarized that Pyramids were generally monuments for burial, though some disagreements occurred claiming that the buildings were for resurrections that could mythically commence the dead Pharaoh’s spirit straight into the gods’ dwellings.
Tikal Temple
The giant jaguar Temple of Tikal is known to be one of the foremost structures and archaeological study sites of the world. It is dated back around 730CE. This gigantic structure is found in Guatemala, and historians believed that an ancient king Chan I, was associated with this pyramid-like building, where his tomb was also located. Even though it is currently indistinct whether it was built for this precise idea, or this use was afterward an alteration. The construction’s stature goes in excess of 100 feet above a series of upright nine levels, beginning from the bottom measuring merely 99.0 through 111.6 feet. In the known Maya mythical belief, the nine steps stand for the nine Night Lords, while the chief hall of the sanctuary resembles the feathered serpent god, Kukulcan.
The Pantheon
The Greeks called The Pantheon the “shrine of all the gods.” The novel Pantheon was constructed in 27-25 BC by Agrippa, the magistrate, to venerate the conquest of Actium over Cleopatra and Antony. This innovative temple was razed down in 80 AD. The building was rebuilt at around 125 AD during the supremacy of King Hadrian.
This structure was situated in Rome and was officially the house of all antique Rome gods. The Pantheon, in relation to the Catholic Church, is historically one of the earliest standing arched church constructions in Rome. During the Medieval period, this building was handed over to Pope Boniface IV, who eventually rehabilitated it to a Roman Catholic Church Building and sanctified it as a holy church that later saved the structure from total devastation and negligence that befell many Ancient buildings in Rome, during the medieval era that showed Constans II Emperor’s spoliation of all metal buildings when he visited Rome in around July 663 AD.
From the Renaissance era, the Pantheon has been used as a burial place for famous personalities like Raphael and Carracci, the painters. At one time, a reigning Pope Urban IIIV instructed that the pantheon bronze ceiling be melted down for the making of bombards for the reinforcing of Castel Santa Angelo. At present, the Pantheon is still maintained as a royal memorial burial ground. This is one of the most persevered buildings in modern history, and the Catholic Church still uses it for important Mass celebrations.
The Ka’ba
The Ka’ba is a large stonework construction generally in the form of a dice. It is made of brickworks from the hills around Mecca and stands on a 25 cm sandstone bottom, which projects outwards approximately 30 cm. There is a black silk golden curtain cover made from Egypt and is known generally as kiswa. This drape wrap is altered annually during the season of Islamic pilgrimage time called hajj. The significant aspect of the Ka’ba, alleged by Muslims said to be the Black Stone that dates back to the era of the first humans on Earth, Adam and Eve and is one of the holiest places in the Islamic faith.
It also serves as the tomb of Prophet Mohammed. Apart from being the center of the annual pilgrimage, the Ka’ba is the center for some other lesser ceremonies, done yearly in commemoration of the Islamic faith. Whereas it might emerge to some people that Muslims adore the Ka’ba, yet it is simply the central prayer summit. Comparable to Israelites, the first Islamic faithful faced Jerusalem while praying.
According to Islamic belief, when Mohammed was praying in the Medina, he was directed by God to alter the bearing from Jerusalem to Mecca and the Ka’ba. Many of the monumental structures erected in ancient times have various similarities. Indeed these magnificent structures of their times have great values in this modern time and are in many areas serving as landmarks and immense architectural achievements. However, to one side being religious shrines and worshiping centers, the most synonymous aspect of these constructions are that; they some at one time were used to serve as the burial tombs for the illustrious personnel, mainly kings, intellectuals, and religious leaders.
References
Jean, Wlliams and Herbert Ziegler. 2005. Traditions and Encounter Volume 1.New York: McGraw publishers.